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Toby Dougherty: Guaranteeing the Water Supply of Hays, Kansas, Through Conservation, Reuse, and New Supplies
An aerial photo of Hays’s water reclamation and reuse facility.
H
ays, Kansas, is located in an arid zone of central Kansas that lacks significant groundwater resources. During the 1990s, it became apparent that its existing water resources were insufficient for its consumption. Its initial response was to implement ambitious conservation measures, which succeeded in reducing its water use by a third, and to build a water recycling plant. Today, it is developing a new water source: a pipeline that will supply the city with groundwater from a former ranch. In this interview, Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty tells Municipal Water Leader about the city’s efforts to guarantee a sustainable water supply for future generations.
Municipal Water Leader: Please tell us about your position at the City of Hays and your responsibilities.
Municipal Water Leader: Please tell us about your background.
Municipal Water Leader: What are the top water supply issues for Hays?
Toby Dougherty: I grew up in the little town of Lucas, Kansas, about an hour from Hays. I’ve been in Hays since 2005.
Toby Dougherty: As our city attorney likes to say, Hays is right in the middle of good water territory. If you go a hundred
Municipal Water Leader: What is the population of the city? Toby Dougherty: The population today is about 21,000.
municipalwaterleader.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF HAYS.
6 | MUNICIPAL WATER LEADER | October 2020
Toby Dougherty: The governing body of the city comprises five city commissioners. I am their one contract employee. I am tasked with running the city.
